Epoxy resin composition, and prepreg and printed circuit board using the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an epoxy resin composition for printed circuit board, which includes (A) an epoxy resin; (B) a composite curing agent, including amino-triazine-novolac resin, diaminodiphenylsulfone, and dicyandiamide mixed in a certain proportion; (C) a curing accelerator; and (D) an optional inorganic filler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition, and a prepreg and a printed wiring board using the epoxy resin composition, and more particularly to an epoxy resin composition including a composite curing agent, and a prepreg impregnated with such a composition and a printed circuit board (PCB) manufactured by using such a prepreg.

2. The Prior Arts

The epoxy resins are currently employed in the manufacture of the structural substrates of the printed circuit boards. In the manufacture of the printed circuit boards, the epoxy resins were first reacted with the curing agents, the curing accelerators and the solvents to obtain a mixture, called varnish. Then, a substrate (e.g. a reinforcing material) was impregnated with the varnish, followed by drying to obtain a prepreg. Then, a particular number of the prepregs were laminated, and a metal foil was additionally placed on at least one outermost layer of the laminate, and subsequently a particular circuit pattern was formed on the metal-clad laminate by etching the metal foil thereon. The manufactured printed circuit board must meet the criteria for heat resistance, dielectric properties, and chemical resistance,

The epoxy resins employed in the manufacture of the structural substrates of the printed circuit boards usually have high adhesive, mechanical and electrical insulation properties along with good chemical resistance. However, the main drawbacks to the epoxy resins are in brittleness and high water absorption. The epoxy resin can be cross-linked with a multi-functional amine to form an interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN). Although IPNs have favorable properties such as high glass transition temperature and high chemical resistance, they have the drawback of being too brittle to be processed as prepregs. For instance, it proves impossible to cut up such prepregs without a portion of the resin blowing about in the form of a large quantity of dry dust. Several approaches for modification of epoxy backbone for enhancing the properties of epoxy resins have been reported.

TW patent No. 293831 and WO 2006004118A1 disclose an epoxy resin composition including an amino-triazine-novolac (ATN) resin used as curing agent for epoxy resin. The amino-triazine-novolac resin can be represented by the general formula given below:

The amino-triazine-novolac resin was prepared by reacting a phenolic compound, an aldehyde compound and a guanamine compound in the presence of an acid catalyst such as oxalic acid or p-toluene sulfonic acid. The phenolic compound used includes, for example, phenol, resorcinol, and alkyl phenols such as cresol and xylenol. The aldehyde compound used includes, for example, formaldehyde. The guanamine compound can be represented by the general formula given below:

where R is amino, phenyl, or alkyl such as methyl.

The guanamine compound used includes, for example, melamine, benzoguanamine, and methyl guanamine.

When the amino-triazine-novolac was used as curing agent for epoxy resin, it could improve the heat resistance of the copper-clad laminate made from such epoxy resin, and the peeling strength of the copper foil to the laminate base. Also, the amino-triazine-novolac resin, which is a phenol-aldehyde resin, can react well with the epoxy resin used for the fabrication of the copper-clad laminate. However, the copper-clad laminate using amino-triazine-novolac resin as curing agent is not easily to be processed, and has unsatisfactory electrical performance.

Therefore, various combinations of curing agents have been proposed in order to mitigate the disadvantages for using just a single curing agent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,530 disclosed a resin composition that included maleimide compounds and an amino-triazine-novolac resin used as composite curing agent so that the PCB manufactured by using such a resin composition could have high flame retardancy, but the manufactured PCB had some disadvantages like low breaking tenacity, and poor heat resistance and chemical resistance, which do not meet the requirements for PCB product.

Furthermore, the amino-triazine-novolac resin and dicyandiamide (DICY), and the amino-triazine-novolac resin and diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) serving as composite curing agent for an epoxy resin were respectively proposed by the present inventor in TW 099112368 and TW 099112372, and by using the two specially designed composite curing agents for the epoxy resin, the copper-clad laminates prepared are excellent in breaking tenacity, dielectric properties, and peeling strength of copper foil.

However, there still exists a continuing need for a new and improved composite curing agent that will improve the processibility and the dielectric properties of the epoxy resin used for the fabrication of the copper-clad laminate or PCB while rendering the epoxy resin to have high glass transition temperature, high heat resistance, high chemical resistance, high peeling strength between a substrate and a copper foil, and low water absorption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to provide an improved epoxy resin composition having superior heat resistance, chemical resistance, dielectric properties, water resistance, peeling strength between a substrate and a copper foil, and processibility by use of a specific composite curing agent, and also to provide a prepreg and a printed circuit board prepared from such an epoxy resin composition.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an epoxy resin composition comprising: (A) an epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups in one molecule; and (B) a composite curing agent comprising 10 to 15 parts by weight of an amino-triazine-novolac resin, 4 to 8 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone, and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of dicyandiamide, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin.

The epoxy resin composition of the present invention can preferably include a curing accelerator additionally.

The epoxy resin composition of the present invention can optionally include an inorganic filler.

The present invention further provides a prepreg produced by impregnating a reinforcing material with the epoxy resin composition of the present invention to form an impregnated substrate, and drying the impregnated substrate to a semi-cured state.

The present invention yet further provides a PCB produced by laminating a particular number of the prepregs of the present invention to form a prepreg laminate, forming a metal foil on at least one outermost layer of the prepreg laminate and heat pressure-molding the prepreg laminate to form a metal-clad laminate, and forming a particular circuit pattern on the metal foil of the metal-clad laminate.

The objective, characteristics, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more evident in the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the present embodiment, the epoxy resin composition for the printed circuit board comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of an epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups in one molecule; (B) a composite curing agent comprising 10 to 15 parts by weight of an amino-triazine-novolac resin, 4 to 8 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone, and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of dicyandiamide; (C) 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight of a curing accelerator; and (D) 0 to 80 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, wherein the weight ratio of the amino-triazine-novolac resin to diaminodiphenylsulfone is in the range of from 1.25:1 to 3.75:1, and furthermore the ratio of the weight of dicyandiamide to the total weight of the amino-triazine-novolac resin and diaminodiphenylsulfone is in the range of from 0.033:1 to 0.083:1. The parts by weight of components (B), (C), and (D) are based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin (component (A)).

The epoxy resin (A) used in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention has at least two epoxy groups in one molecule. Examples of the epoxy resin used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, bisphenol A epoxy resin, bisphenol F epoxy resin, bisphenol S epoxy resin, phenol novolak epoxy resin such as DOPO-PNE (which is obtained by reacting 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphahenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) with phenol novolac epoxy resin (PNE)), cresol novolak epoxy resin, and glycidylamine epoxy resin. These epoxy resins can be used singly or in combination of two or more of them.

The composite curing agent (B) used in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention comprises an amino-triazine-novolac resin, diaminodiphenylsulfone, and dicyandiamide, wherein the amino-triazine-novolac resin, diaminodiphenylsulfone, and dicyandiamide can undergo a cross-linking reaction with the epoxy resin to form an interpenetrating polymeric network. The weight ratio of the amino-triazine-novolac resin to diaminodiphenylsulfone is in the range of from 1.25:1 to 3.75:1, and preferably 2:1, and furthermore the ratio of the weight of dicyandiamide to the total weight of the amino-triazine-novolac resin and diaminodiphenylsulfone is in the range of from 0.033:1 to 0.083:1, and preferably 0.056:1. The amount of curing agents used usually depends on the ratio of the active hydrogen equivalent of the amine compound relative to the epoxy equivalent of the epoxy resin contained in the epoxy resin composition, and also depends on the properties of the reinforcing material used. Accordingly, 10 to 15 parts by weight of an amino-triazine-novolac resin, 4 to 8 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone, and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of dicyandiamid, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin, are used in the present invention. The main factors that affect the properties of the interpenetrating polymeric network are the interpenetrating degree, the component ratio and the crosslinking density. Accordingly, in the present invention, the weight ratio of the epoxy resin to the amino-triazine-novolac resin is in the range of from 1:0.10 to 1:0.15, and preferably 1:0.12.

The curing accelerator (C) used in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention can be any compound that is used for accelerating the curing of an epoxy resin. Examples of the curing accelerator used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, imidazoles, more particularly alkyl substituted imidazoles such as 2-methylimidazole and 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole, 2-phenylimidazole, 2-phenyl, 4-methylimidazole. Other suitable accelerators include tertiary amines, e.g. benzyldimethylamine and 4,4′ and 3,3′ diaminodiphenylsulphone. These curing accelerators can be used singly or in combination of two or more of them. One preferred curing accelerator is 2-methylimidazole. The amount of curing accelerator used is dependent on the type of epoxy resin, the type of curing agent, and the type of curing accelerator. The curing accelerator is present in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention in an amount from about 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin.

The optional inorganic filler (D) used in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention serves to impart additional flame retardancy, heat resistance and humidity resistance to the epoxy resin composition. Examples of the inorganic filler used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, fused silica, crystalline silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, mica, talc, clay, alumina, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium silicate, aluminum silicate, lithium aluminum silicate, zirconium silicate, and molybdenum disulfide. These inorganic fillers can be used singly or in combination of two or more of them. Preferred inorganic fillers include talc, and aluminium hydroxide. If the inorganic filler exists in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention, it is present in an amount between 0 to 80 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin.

One or more solvents can be used for preparing the epoxy resin composition varnish in the present invention in order to provide resin solubility, and control resin viscosity. Examples of the solvents used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, acetone, methylethylketone, propylene glycol methyl ether, cyclohexanone, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate. These solvents can be used singly or in combination of two or more of them. Preferred solvents include methylethylketone, and propylene glycol methyl ether. The solvent is present in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention in an amount from about 60 to 100 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin.

If necessary, various additives such as silane coupling agents, releasants, and flame retardants can be used in the epoxy resin composition of the present invention

The epoxy resin composition of the present invention can be prepared by blending the components (A), (B), (C) and (D), and agitating the mixture uniformly, for example, in a mixer or blender.

The epoxy resin composition varnish of the present invention is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the obtained epoxy resin composition in a solvent.

A reinforcing material is impregnated with the resin varnish to form an impregnated substrate, and then the impregnated substrate is heated in a dryer at 150 to 180° C. for 2 to 10 minutes to give a prepreg in a semi-cured state (B-stage). Examples of the reinforcing material used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, glass fiber cloth, glass paper and glass mat, and also, kraft paper and linter paper.

A metal-clad laminate is prepared by laminating a particular number of the prepregs obtained from the above, forming a metal foil additionally on at least one outermost layer of the laminate and molding the composite under heat and pressure. As for the heat pressure-molding condition, the temperature is 160 to 190° C., the molding pressure is 10 to 30 kg/cm², and the molding time is 30 to 120 minutes. Then, a metal-clad laminate used for production of printed wiring boards is formed under such heat and pressure conditions. Examples of the metal foils used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, copper foil, aluminum foil, and stainless steel foil.

A circuit pattern formed on the metal foil of the metal-clad laminate is obtained by leaving circuit pattern-forming regions and removing the other regions thereof by using the subtractive process, otherwise known as the etching process. In this way, a printed wiring board carrying a circuit on the surface thereof is obtained.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. It should be understood that the present invention is not restricted at all by these Examples.

<Preparation of Epoxy Resin Composition Varnishes>

EXAMPLE 1

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 6 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 1 part by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

EXAMPLE 2

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 10 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 8 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 1 part by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

EXAMPLE 3

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 15 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 4 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 1 part by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

EXAMPLE 4

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 6 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 0.6 parts by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

EXAMPLE 5

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 6 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 1.5 parts by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

EXAMPLE 6

100 parts by weight of bisphenol A epoxy resin (KOLON 1138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 170 to 220 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 6 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 0.8 parts by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), and 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

EXAMPLE 7

50 parts by weight of bisphenol A epoxy resin (KOLON 1138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 170 to 220 g/eq), 50 parts by weight of DOPO-CNE (Kolon 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co. epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 6 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 1 part by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 2 parts by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 12 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone (hydroxyl group equivalence of 62 g/eq), 2 parts by weight of dicyandiamide (hydroxyl group equivalence of 21 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

100 parts by weight of DOPO-PNE (KOLON 5138, manufactured by Kolon Chemical Co., epoxy equivalence of 250 to 390 g/eq), 24 parts by weight of amino-triazine-novolac resin (EPICLON N-7054, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., epoxy equivalence of 125 g/eq), 0.5 parts by weight of 2-methylimidazole, and 50 parts by weight of talc were mixed together by a mixer at room temperature for 60 minutes, and then the obtained mixture was dissolved in 80 parts by weight of methylethylketone, followed by stirring in a disperser at room temperature for 120 minutes to give the epoxy resin composition varnish.

<Preparation of Prepregs>

The 7628 (R/C: 43%) glass fiber cloths (product of Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd) were respectively impregnated with the resin varnish obtained in Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 at room temperature, and followed by heating the impregnated glass fiber cloths at approximately 180° C. for 2 to 10 minutes to remove the solvent in the resin varnish (here, the resulting epoxy resin compositions were semi-cured) to obtain the prepregs of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4.

<Preparation of Printed Circuit Boards>

Four prepregs (300 mm×510 mm) of Examples 1 were held and laminated between two copper foils (thickness: 1 oz, product of Nikko Gould Foil Co., Ltd.), to give a laminate. The laminate was then molded under the heating/pressurization condition of the temperature of 180° C. (the programmed heating rate of 2.0° C./minutes) and the pressure of 15 kg/cm² (an initial pressure: 8 kg/cm²) for 60 minutes, to give a copper-clad laminate for printed circuit board. Then, a circuit pattern was formed on the surface of the copper-clad laminate by leaving circuit pattern-forming regions and removing the other regions thereof by etching, and thereby a printed circuit board carrying a circuit on the surface was obtained.

The copper-clad laminates and the printed circuit boards for Examples 2 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were respectively obtained in the same way as the above-mentioned method for manufacturing the copper-clad laminate and the printed circuit board of Example 1.

The properties of the copper-clad laminates obtained in Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were respectively determined by the following evaluation tests.

[Water Absorption]

The standard pressure cooker test was done at 121° C., 100% relative humidity, and 2 atmosphere pressures for 1 hour.

[Solder Floating]

The sample was kept floating on a solder bath of 288° C. for the time indicated in Table 1 and, then blister of the sample was visually observed.

[Peeling Strength of Copper Foil]

A 1 oz of copper foil on the copper-clad laminate was peeled off for determination of its 90° peel strength (JIS-C-6481).

[Glass Transition Temperature]

The glass transition temperature (Tg) was measured as peak temperature of tan δ at 1 Hz by a dynamic mechanical analyzer manufactured by Seiko Instruments, Inc.

[Thermal Decomposition Temperature]

A resin was separated from a copper-clad laminate and analyzed in a thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyzer (TG-DTA). The programmed heating rate was 5° C./minute. The thermal decomposition temperature was a temperature at which the weight of the sample decreased by 5% from the initial weight.

[Flame Retardancy]

The flame retardancy of a copper-clad laminate was evaluated by the method specified in UL 94. The UL 94 is a vertical burn test that classifies materials as V-0, V-1 or V-2.

[Breaking Tenacity]

The laminate was set on a flat stage of the analyzer, and a vertical force was exerted on the laminate with a cross-shaped metal tool directly contacting with the surface of the laminate for 1 minute, which left a cross-shaped mark on the surface of the laminate. Breaking tenacity was evaluated by visually observing the cross-shaped mark on the surface of the laminate as follows: good: no white crease; normal: occurrence of slightly white crease; and bad: occurrence of cracking or breakage.

[Dielectric Properties]

The dielectric constant and the dissipation factor at 1 GHz were measured according to the procedures of ASTM D150-87.

[Substrate Surface Etching]

The chemical etching of the substrate surface was accomplished by immersing the substrate in an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate used as an etchant (70.35 g/L) for 10 minutes, followed by neutralizing and drying the resulting substrate. Then, the resulting substrate was weighed to determine the weight loss that is expressed in terms of milligrams per square decimeter (mg/dm²).

The epoxy resin compositions and the test results of the test items above are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Epoxy Resin Compositions Relative to 100 parts by Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Comparative Comparative Comparative Comparative weight of the epoxy resin ple 1 ple 2 ple 3 ple 4 ple 5 ple 6 ple 7 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Epoxy bisphenol A 0 0 0 0 0 100 50 0 0 0 0 resin epoxy resin DOPO-PNE 100 100 100 100 100 0 50 100 100 100 100 Composite ATN resin 12 10 15 12 12 12 12 — — — 24 curing DDS 6 8 4 6 6 6 6 12 — 12 — agent DICY 1 1 1 0.6 1.5 0.8 1 — 2 2 — Curing 2MI 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 accelerator Inorganic Talc 50 50 50 50 50 0 50 50 50 50 50 filler Solvent MEK 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 Test Results Compar- Compar- Compar- Compar- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ative ative ative ative Properties Conditions Unit ple 1 ple 2 ple 3 ple 4 ple 5 ple 6 ple 7 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Water PCT % 0.123 0.126 0.125 0.121 0.131 0.129 0.130 0.142 0.169 0.141 0.140 absorption 121° C./ 1 hr Solder 288° C. min >10 >10 >10 >10 >10 >10 >10 9.5 7.1 >10 >10 floating Peeling lb/in 8.6 8.7 8.4 8.5 8.4 7.9 8.2 6.2 8.1 7.2 8.2 strength Glass DMA ° C. 180.5 179.1 180.9 181.1 180.1 178.2 181.0 178.2 169.5 174.5 179.2 transition temperature Thermal TGA ° C. 389.7 386.9 389.6 392.3 388.2 381.2 388.9 395.9 362.9 373.9 386.4 decom- position temperature Flame Rating UL94 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-1 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 retardancy Breaking Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Bad Normal Good Normal tenacity Dielectric Dk 4.40 4.39 4.42 4.47 4.43 4.42 4.41 4.54 4.54 4.51 4.46 constant at 1 GHz Dissipation Df 0.018 0.020 0.019 0.019 0.020 0.018 0.019 0.022 0.022 0.021 0.020 factor at 1 GHz Substrate Weight mg/dm² 0.54 0.55 0.55 0.54 0.55 0.54 0.55 0.50 0.53 0.52 0.72 surface loss etching

As seen from Table 1, the copper-clad laminates obtained according to the present invention (Examples 1 to 7) have the well-balanced properties and every required performance for use as printed circuit boards. Although no inorganic filler was used in the epoxy resin composition in the case of Example 6, the copper-clad laminate obtained according to Example 6 still has the required performance for use as printed circuit boards. The copper-clad laminates of the present invention have high glass transition temperatures, and are excellent in breaking tenacity, dielectric properties, peeling strength of copper foil, water resistance, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. In Examples 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of these copper-clad laminates can reach 180° C. or above. Moreover, the dielectric constants (around 4.40) and the dissipation factors (0.02 or below) of the copper-clad laminates of the present invention are low, and especially in Example 2, the dielectric constant of the copper-clad laminate is below 4.40. For substrate surface etching test, the weight loss for the copper-clad laminates of the present invention is below 0.6 mg/dm², and it is proved that the copper-clad laminates of the present invention have excellent chemical resistance.

As compared with Examples 1 to 7 of the present invention, the copper-clad laminate of Comparative Example 1 (only using diaminodiphenylsulfone as curing agent) has lower peeling strength of copper foil to the laminate base, lower breaking tenacity, and lower soldering resistance, and the copper-clad laminate of Comparative Example 2 (only using dicyandiamide as curing agent) has higher water absorption, lower heat resistance, and lower soldering resistance, and the copper-clad laminate of Comparative Example 3 (only using diaminodiphenylsulfone and dicyandiamide as curing agent) has lower peeling strength of copper foil to the laminate base, and the copper-clad laminate of Comparative Example 4 (only using amino-triazine-novolac resin as curing agent) has lower chemical resistance (the weight loss for the copper-clad laminate is 0.72 mg/dm²). Furthermore, as compared with Examples 1 to 7 of the present invention, the copper-clad laminates of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 have relatively low glass transition temperatures, and relatively high dielectric constants.

Thus, the copper-clad laminates or the printed circuit boards of the present invention can be used with high reliability. Accordingly, the copper-clad laminates or the printed circuit boards of the present invention have relatively high glass transition temperatures and relatively low dielectric constants as compared to the composite curing agent used before, and the copper-clad laminates or the printed circuit boards of the present invention can be devoid of the drawbacks of the individual curing agents, i.e. the amino-triazine-novolac resin, dicyandiamide, and diaminodiphenylsulfone, while keeping the advantages of the original individual ones.

It is contemplated that various modifications may be made to the compositions, prepregs, laminates and printed circuit boards of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. An epoxy resin composition, comprising: (A) an epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups in one molecule; and (B) a composite curing agent comprising 10 to 15 parts by weight of an amino-triazine-novolac resin, 4 to 8 parts by weight of diaminodiphenylsulfone, and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of dicyandiamide, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin, wherein a weight ratio of the amino-triazine-novolac resin to diaminodiphenylsulfone is in the range of from 1.25:1 to 3.75:1 in the composite curing agent, and wherein a ratio of a weight of dicyandiamide to a total weight of the amino-triazine-novolac resin and diaminodiphenylsulfone is in the range of from 0.033:1 to 0.083:1.
 2. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amino-triazine-novolac resin is obtained from a condensation reaction of a phenolic compound, an aldehyde compound, and a guanamine compound in the presence of an acid catalyst.
 3. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of the epoxy resin to the amino-triazine-novolac resin is in the range of from 1:0.10 to 1:0.15.
 4. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the epoxy resin is selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A epoxy resin, bisphenol F epoxy resin, bisphenol S epoxy resin, phenolic novolak epoxy resin, cresol novolak epoxy resin, and glycidylamine epoxy resin.
 5. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a curing accelerator.
 6. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curing accelerator is present in an amount of 0.01 to 1.00 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin.
 7. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curing accelerator is an imidazole.
 8. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inorganic filler.
 9. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inorganic filler is present in an amount between 0 to 80 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin.
 10. The epoxy resin composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inorganic filler includes talc, and aluminium hydroxide.
 11. A prepreg produced by impregnating a reinforcing material with the epoxy resin composition according to claim 1 to form a impregnated substrate, and drying the impregnated substrate to a semi-cured state.
 12. A printed circuit board produced by laminating a particular number of the prepregs according to claim 11 to form a prepreg laminate, forming a metal foil on at least one outermost layer of the prepreg laminate and heat pressure-molding the prepreg laminate to form a metal-clad laminate, and forming a circuit pattern on the metal foil of the metal-clad laminate. 